While you’re stuck honking your way through traffic jams in Delhi, Bengaluru, or Mumbai, there’s one city in Rajasthan that’s rewriting the rules of urban commuting.
Move over, metros — Kota, India’s famous coaching capital, has achieved something truly groundbreaking. It has become the first city in the country to function entirely without traffic lights.
Yes, you read that right — not a single red, yellow, or green signal controls Kota’s roads anymore. And yet, the traffic flows effortlessly, thanks to smart planning, seamless road design, and forward-thinking infrastructure.
A Smart City Move That Redefines Urban Mobility
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of careful planning and innovative thinking by the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) of Kota, which set out to redesign the city’s roads with efficiency in mind.
Instead of relying on traditional traffic signals, UIT developed a network of interconnected ring roads that allow vehicles to bypass congested routes altogether. This design ensures uninterrupted flow, especially during peak hours when thousands of students and residents commute daily across the city.
Over Two Dozen Flyovers and Underpasses Built
To make the system work seamlessly, the city constructed more than 24 flyovers and underpasses at key intersections. These structures help vehicles glide through major junctions without needing to stop, drastically cutting down travel time, fuel consumption, and pollution.
Small diversion roads, widened streets, and well-marked intersections have further contributed to a signal-free commute. The result? Fewer traffic jams, improved road safety, and smoother travel for thousands heading to schools, offices, and coaching institutes.
Kota’s Model: A Blend of Efficiency and Sustainability
Kota’s traffic-free model has become a benchmark in sustainable urban mobility. It not only reduces congestion but also minimises the stress on traffic police and lowers the environmental footprint by cutting down idle fuel emissions.
What’s more impressive is that this system caters efficiently to lakhs of residents and thousands of students, proving that with the right planning, even a densely populated city can maintain punctuality and order — without traffic signals.
A Blueprint for Other Indian Cities
Kota’s success story is a shining example of how urban infrastructure and innovation can work hand-in-hand. The city’s initiative demonstrates that smart planning, not more signals, is the key to better traffic management.
As India’s metros grapple with chronic congestion, Kota’s approach offers a replicable model for cities seeking sustainable, technology-driven solutions for urban transport.
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